A further 2,143 positive cases of the virus were also announced.
The death toll now sits at 1,311 and there has been 70,905 infections since the pandemic began.
There are 492 Covid patients in hospital, 35 of whom are in intensive care while 24 are being ventilated.
Hospital occupancy is at 96% with 105 care home outbreaks.
Earlier this week Health Minister Robin Swann warned that New Year s Eve house parties would not only be against the law, but could be super-spreader events and potentially cost lives.
That message was echoed on Wednesday night by Dr McBride. What I would say to everyone who is at home and has plans for New Year s Eve, rethink those plans, he told the BBC.
Coronavirus vaccine: Updated guidance on rollout as first dose of AstraZeneca jab offers as much as 70% protection
Our 50,000 doses will be used to give as many as possible their first jab
Updated
Covid information signs in Belfast city centre (Image: Justin Kernoghan/Belfast Live)
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Updated: 30 Dec 2020, 11:30
THE Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine will be available in Northern Ireland from next week.
The rollout comes after the jab was approved by the UK s Health Secretary Matt Hancock and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency.
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Northern Ireland s First Minister Arlene FosterCredit: PA:Press Association
50,000 AstraZeneca vaccines are currently available to Northern Ireland, with delivery arranged in advance of the announcement.
Further supplies are expected early in the New Year.
Northern Ireland s Health Minister Robin Swann welcomed the news this morning. EXTREMELY WELCOME NEWS
He said: “Today’s announcement is extremely welcome news and helps us look forward to the New Year with optimism and hope.
Robin Swann advised the Executive on Monday night that a travel ban could have serious adverse implications on the financial viability of aircraft and ferry routes, leading to a knock-on effect on the supply chain of essential goods and services.
The Health Minister said that while there was merit in a Great Britain travel ban, travellers entering Northern Ireland from the Republic of Ireland posed a greater risk than travellers entering Northern Ireland from the rest of the UK.
The details were contained in a paper, seen by the Belfast Telegraph, that Mr Swann presented to the Executive. Read More
Department of Health update shielding advice for Clinically Extremely Vulnerable people
They remain extremely vulnerable to this virus and the safest option is not to form a Christmas bubble
Chief Medical Officer Dr Michael McBride (Image: Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye)
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When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they’ll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. OurPrivacy Noticeexplains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time.